Stay in the loop

The top concerts in Toronto in March will undoubtedly be Kraftwerk and Foundry, but Ben Boles has you covered over in this dance party preview post (plus we'll be getting up close and personal with some Foundry DJs), so here I get to put the focus on stuff like outrageous pop femmes, noise bros, some gentlemen of lo-fi, and of course, one special Montreal band who thinks you dress like a slob.

Sound image 2014 / March 7 / Analogue Gallery (673 Queen Street West) Not a concert but the culmination of many, many Toronto concerts, Analogue Gallery's 3rd Annual Sound Image Music Photography contest and exhibition goes down next weekend. Only one photo will win the prize and glory - and full disclosure, some of our own photographers have concert shots in the show. The opening is RSVP only - click attending on the Facebook event or contact the gallery by phone (416 901 8001) or email (celia@analoguegallery.com).

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu - March 7 / Sound Academy / $62I'd probably go to this if it wasn't at Sound Academy, and the fact I'm still tempted says a lot about the show (all of this says a lot about Sound Academy, bleh). This is Japanese Harajuku pop superstar Kyary Pamyu Pamyu's first world tour. I can't lie, I wish the world looked like this video - I haven't seen colours like that since the wilds of highschool. You've got a chance to win tickets here until March 3rd.

Long Winter / March 7 / The Great Hall / 7pm / PWYCLast one! Cancer Bats, S.H.I.T., Greys, You'll Never Get to Heaven, Ravi Naimpally, JM, Pick a Piper, Brr, Grounders and So Young will play at the Great Hall. There will be dance performances, puppets, art, film, food, and 7"'s. Celebrate the end of one hell of a winter.

Trust / March 8 / Adelaide Hall (250 Adelaide St W) / $21What was a duo of Robert Alfons and Maya Postepski has now become a solo, and to at least some degree this has changed the Trust sound - I think it's only gotten sparklier and weirder (Kate Bush would be proud), and Alfons was the one carrying the band live anyway. Be the judge for yourself by streaming Joyland here (it officially drops on March 4th) or at Adelaide Hall on March 8th with Mozart's Sister.

Arcade Fire / March 13 / Air Canada Centre / sold outThe most badass thing the Arcade Fire has ever done is calling their own fans out on being too frumpy at their arena shows. "Wear something nice already, you're making us sick" - The Arcade Fire, last true punk band in indie rock.

Crosss / March 15 / Smiling Buddha / $8If you haven't heard, Smiling Buddha is totally different now - well, except for a few things that the new owners just couldn't change. Mark Pesci (of Mark Pesci's Toronto Punk and Hardcore Shows) is booking gigs now, so it remains to be seen if this will still be the city's best bet for shows where you have no idea what is going on. Montreal loud-band Crosss is joined by loud-bands Soupcans, Special Noise, and Ketamines.

Marker Starling at Twin Peaks Residency / March 22 / Handlebar (159 Augusta) / PWYCAll month, the Julee Cruise Ships are doing a Twin Peaks residency at Handlebar (playing your fave tracks from David Lynch's unfinished romp in the Black Lodge). They'll be joined by five different artists all together over the month, but March 22nd is the one to hit if you're a true fan of Twin Peaks' aesthetic - Marker Starling, formerly known as Mantler, is an angel of strange, sincere nightclub kitsch. See below.

Venus X and GHE20GOTH1K / March 27 / Tattoo (567 Queen Street West) / $15Yes, that GHE20GOTH1K. No, Rihanna isn't invited. Just kidding about that second part, but if she shows you know she's just gonna stand in a corner acting bummed that everyone's having a legendary time and not talking to her. See more dance parties in our March dance parties post.

How to Dress Well / March 29 / Mod Club / $15Tom Krell is finally returning to Toronto, and he's bringing Forest Swords with him because he's just that nice. While aliens three of four galaxies over can hear his surreal voice breaking on recordings, seeing him up close and personal is a whole different thing (though Mod Club won't be the bessst place for getting intimate, I trust that Krell can pull it off). It's okay to let go and cry. Also: Forest Swords!